Similarly, Amanda and her dad have a kind of “cold war” going on throughout most of the book regarding her dating. Whereas I was all pepped up for Amanda to be her best self her dad was more reluctant, but the relationship development was really something special. Walking home alone, she is attacked by another football player, Parker, who mocks her and then sexually assaults her.

After a particularly vicious attack in a mall bathroom, Amanda becomes so depressed that she is at risk of suicide. When she isn't upsetting Yankees by smiling and making eye contact on the 3 train she spends her time lifting weights, playing fighting games, blowing up the mic at karaoke, glancing anxiously at her TBR pile, and, of course, working on her next book. I wasn’t in the best place mentally when I read this book and it was really sad at certain points, but I still don’t regret reading it. When the topic of trans people comes up in conversation with fellow cis people, the discussion too often turns towards the topic of genitals, surgery, etc. It comes with all the pain and worry of hiding your past from everyone around you, whilst trying to be comfortable in your new life.

The novel ends as Amanda and Grant discuss the future of their relationship, unsure of what it will be. Like, she’s in Lambertville High for less than a day before the boys come sniffing around like she’s a piece of fresh meat on display.

The narrative is also very explicit about undermining stereotypes and assumptions about gender and sexuality, such as “you don’t have to be a boy to like girls,” and a girl being masculine doesn’t necessarily mean she’s attracted to girls. She definitely creates a feeling of universal sympathy - because it's hard trying to fit in, learning to accept yourself, and finding someone to love you - but she feels, perhaps deliberately, like a blank canvas. I thought Amanda, Chloe, Anna, and Layla made a really great girl gang, and I liked how supportive they were. When Meredith is not busy writing she can be found reblogging pictures of cats and babies, reading fan fiction and fantasy novels, arguing with strangers about social justice, and raising her two amazing children, Vivian and Darwin.At first, it seems like she may succeed: she’s made friends with popular girls and drawn the attention of a cute football player named Grant. At first the accent used by Ms Mounts was a surprise but it makes the story more real since it matches the area of USA where the story is set.